Is the De Vere 507 any good?

[Shaggysk8]

Hello, just getting in to 4x5 and thinking enlargers now, so looking at a De Vere 507 I assume it is diffusion, but wondered if anyone can give me any advice on this enlarger.

Paul

 

[aluncrockford]

If it is good enough for some of these reprobates, then I am sure it will be ok for the rest of us

http://www.richardnicholson.com/projects/analog---last-one-out/

 

[Shaggysk8]

Pictures speak 1000 words

 

[Ian Grant]

The best enlargers available and parts and new or refurbished models are still available.

Ian

 

[Jerevan]

It's a very well made enlarger. Top drawer stuff.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

The DeVere enlargers are very good however beware that not all parts are the same specification, e.g. negative carriers, lens panels, timers etc.

Tom

 

[Martin Aislabie]

A 507 will print up to 5x7 Negs

DeVeres are built like tractors - I doubt anyone will actually wear one out

Martin

 

[MartinP]

I used De Veres for some years professionally and now use one at home too - they are very well thought out, hold adjustment extremely well, and are seriously well made. Obviously, if someone offers you one which has stood in a pond for two years then look elsewhere.

There are various heads and chassis available. The condenser unit is called Varicon and has swappable lenses which cover the different possible negs you might want to try, though many ex-lab units will probably have colour heads I guess.

The chassis might be wall mounted, with an adjustable base-table on the mount, or bench-mounted for (surprise) sitting on a workbench. A very handy feature is that the focus and head adjustments are at the front of the base, rather than on the column or head. The only problem with the things is the weight and size - this is also an advantage of course - so this is the wrong enlarger for someone expecting to move it in and out of a bathroom every evening.

If you don't expect to work with 5x7 negs then you could look for a 504 (5"x4") or a 203 (2 1/4" x 3").

 

[Martin Aislabie]

If you do choose to go for it, take a few burly mates with you to collect it - they are seriously heavy

The light box will come off for transport – but make sure everything is well locked down before you remove it, or the counterbalance spring will slam the head to the top of the column

Martin

 

[jerry lebens]

If you do choose to go for it, take a few burly mates with you to collect it - they are seriously heavy

The light box will come off for transport – but make sure everything is well locked down before you remove it, or the counterbalance spring will slam the head to the top of the column

Martin

Roger that. Great enlarger, but make sure that head is secured before you shift it, the spring is easily powerful enough to remove a misplaced finger.
Raise the head to the top of the column before you actually remove the head assembly, it takes all the tension out of the system...

Regards
Jerry

 

[Ian Grant]

Roger that. Great enlarger, but make sure that head is secured before you shift it, the spring is easily powerful enough to remove a misplaced finger.
Raise the head to the top of the column before you actually remove the head assembly, it takes all the tension out of the system...

Regards
Jerry

If it's floor standing it's better to lock the head down tightly lower than top of the column, as it's about 7ft up at the top

And while Jerry says it'll take a finger off in fact it'll do far worse than that if you get in it's way - as I know from experience and a hole in a ceiling . . . . . . .

If you buy one there's a few things you need to do before splitting these De Vere's, makes life simpler later on re-assembly.

Ian

 

[Shaggysk8]

Sounds like if I get it, if I'm not careful I might die :s

 

[Ian Grant]

Sounds like if I get it, if I'm not careful I might die :s

It's not that bad

They are so nice to use, so well made, but the counter balance is strong as it has to cope with quite a weight. Te safety precautions are simple and work well.

However there are other issues like the chains used to raise various bits, if you disassemble correctly it's dead easy to reassemble, if not it's fiddly & messy fingers covered in grease etc.

Ian

 

[Shaggysk8]

Maybe waiting for a 504 is better as I will only be doing 5x4

 

[Ian Grant]

Depends on the price. The columns, base board etc are the same, built to withstand anything. I have a 5108 (10x8) version but have used a 504 and used to have the much earlier 54a, an ex navy ship mounted model.

As they take up the same space if the 507's cheap just go for it It's better for 6x17 a wonderful format.

Ian

 

[Shaggysk8]

Ok then what's a good price?

 

[Ian Grant]

Ok then what's a good price?

How longs a piece of string.. . . . . .

To many variables, it really depends on the enlarger and what you get with it. I paid £600 for my 5108 about 5 years ago with 10x8, 5x4, 6x6 & 6x7 neg carrier parts, plus a timer and 3 lenses, 150mm & 210mm Rodenstock's and a mint 300mm Componon S.

There was also a large Beard enlarger easel, I had to make a couple of missing parts .

I got a lot of value for money at that price. You'd need to asses what your buying,

Ian

 

[Shaggysk8]

Well thank you everyone for your help.

The bad news is I didn't win it although it is the one I am gonna get ONE DAY!

 

[paul_c5x4]

Were you bidding on one over in Norfolk ? I was half tempted, but having a pair of L1200s already, I don't have the space. Would have been nice to have the capacity to go to 5x7 even if it was only to do jumbo "contact sheets" of 6x6 & 35mm negs.
Maybe I'll try for the 10x8 DeVere that is currently listed.

 

[Shaggysk8]

Yeah thats the one, I did see the 10x8 also there is a 507 in Ireland but they won't post it, but it would go for £250

 

[perkeleellinen]

Are you going to have a stab at the one previously owned by Lichfield? It's quite close to you isn't it?

 

[Shaggysk8]

OOO! do you have a link to that?

 

[perkeleellinen]

Sent the link as a pm.